Combination cradle, crib and youth bed

ABSTRACT

Combination cradle, crib and youth bed comprises longitudinally oriented base frame including pair of spaced apart upstanding head members facing one another and longitudinal base member connected between upstanding head members. Body supporting unit has opposite headboards releasably supported by base frame, and parallel bars associated with each head member of base frame are pivotally connected between upper portion of each head member and lower portion of each headboard of body supporting unit. Structural relationship between base frame, body supporting unit and parallel bars enable unit to swing in to-and-fro transverse direction relative to base frame. Separate stabilizer is connected between at least one of headboards and its adjacent head member for preventing longitudinal play of body supporting unit when it swings in to-and-fro transverse direction relative to base frame.

United States Patent [1 1 Borreggine COMBINATION CRADLE, CRIB AND YOUTH BED Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg V Attorney, Agent, or FirmConnolly and Hutz 57 ABSTRACT Combination cradle, crib and youth bed comprises longitudinally oriented base frame including pair of spaced apart upstanding head members facing one another and longitudinal base member connected between upstanding head members. Body supporting unit has opposite headboards releasably supported by base frame, and parallel bars associated with each head member of base frame are pivotally, connected between upper portion of each head member and lower portion of each headboard of body supporting unit. Structural relationship between base frame, body supporting unit and parallel bars enable unit to swing in to-and-fro transverse direction relative to base frame. Separate stabilizer is connected between at least one of headboards and its adjacent head member for preventing longitudinal play of body supporting unit when it swings in to-and-fro transverse direction a relative to base frame.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 21974 3,821,822

COMBINATION CRADLE, CRIB AND YOUTH BED BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a combination cradle, crib and youth bed.

Prior to the present invention, numerous structures have been proposed for use as cradles, cribs and beds. Many of these structures are convertible from one use to another but for the most part they are complex in achieving the desired convertible features. The following US. patents describe devices which are exemplary of the state of the prior art and the relative complexity of cradle, crib and youth bed constructions. Charlton US. Pat. No. 113,497, granted Apr. 11, 1871, shows a cradle construction; Hopkins US. Pat. No. 883,884, granted Apr. 7, 1908, shows a portable partition for beds; Miller US. Pat. No. 2,531,858, granted Nov. 28, 1950, discloses a cradle; and Meade US. Pat. No. 3,648,307, granted Mar. 14, 1972, describes a mechanically operated cradle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a combination cradle, crib and youth bed which is simple to fabricate and which functions in a highly satisfactory and beneficial manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a combination cradle, crip and youth bed which is simple to convert from one use to another.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a combination cradle, crib and youth bed which may be constructed of a size for use by humans or scaled down for use as a toy.

In accordance with the present invention a combination cradle, crib and youth bed comprises a longitudinally oriented base frame that includes a pair of spaced apart upstanding head members facing one another and a longitudinal base member connected between the upstanding head members. A body supporting unit having opposite headboards is releasably supported by the base frame. A pair of parallel bars associated with each head member of the base frame means are pivotally connected between an upper portion of each head member and a lower portion of each headboard of the body supporting unit. As a result, the body supporting unit may swing in a to-and-fro transverse direction relative to the base frame. A separate stabilizer is connected between at least one of the headboards and its adjacent head member for preventing longitudinal play of the body supporting unit when it swings in a to-andfro direction relative to the base frame.

Particularly, the separate stabilizer may comprise a horizontal channel secured to the inside face of one of the upstandinghead members of the base frame and a projection on the outside of the adjacent headboard of the body supporting unit. The projection extends into the channel and is confined thereby to transverse toand-fro movement relative to the base frame. The confining relationship between the projection and the channel prevents longitudinal play of the body supporting unit when it swings. I

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pivotal connections between the parallel bars and the lower portions of each headboard of the body supporting unit are releasable so that the body supporting unit may be removed from the base frame for separate use as a crib or youth bed. Also, it is preferred that the longitudinal base member of the base frame comprise two pieces with a hinge connecting the pieces together. Hinges are also located at the opposite ends of the base member for hingedly connecting the base member to the upstanding head members. This relationship enables the base member and the upstanding head members to fold together along the axes of the hinges. I

Continuing, the combination of the present invention includes a self-contained drive unit associated with the base member of the base frame. The drive unit has a motor with an upwardly disposed shaft, a switch, and conductors for interconnecting the motor and the switch with a source of electric power. A horizontal disc is secured to the upper end of the motor shaft, and a link is pivotally connected between the underside of the body supporting unit and an eccentric point on the disc so that rotation of the disc through activation of the motor causes the link to swing the body supporting unit in a to-and-fro transverse direction relative to the base frame. Further, the base member of the base frame may include a central cutout portion which is constructed and arranged to releasably receive the selfcontained drive unit.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the body supporting unit includes a horizontal body supporting platform connecting between the opposite headboards of the unit. Side rails extend between the headboards of the unit for enclosing the body supporting platform, and transverse horizontal channels are located below the body supporting platform at opposite ends thereof. Pivot pins on the side rails of the body supporting unit are disposed within the horizontal channels so that the side rails may swing outwardly and downwardly relative to the body supporting platform and also slide inwardly along the channels for storage under the body supporting platform. The transverse horizontal channels may be disposed within the headboards of the body supporting unit.

Each headboard of the body supporting unit may include guiding structure adjacent the base of the headboards. At least one drawer extends between the headboards and is supported and guided by the guiding structure for sliding movement inwardly and outwardly relative to the body supporting unit. The guiding structure may comprise horizontal cutout channels in the inside face of each headboard of the body supporting unit. Also, the combinationof the present invention may include a canopy releasably secured to upper portions of the upstanding head members of the base frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Novel features and advantages of the present invention in addition to those mentioned above will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a combination cradle, crib and youth bed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of thecombination shown in FIG. 1 with portions broken away to show detail;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1',

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the body supporting unit of the present invention with the side rail stored and the center rail in position;

. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the base frame of the present invention with the self-contained drive unit in place; a

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the base frame of the present invention illustrating the releasability of the self-contained drive unit; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the base frame of the presentinvention in its folded condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring in more particularity to the drawing, a combination 10 comprises a cradle, a crib and a youth bed. As explained more fully below, the combination 10 is convertible for use as any one of the above items. The present invention may be fabricated full size for use by humans or scaled down for use as a toy. Regardless of the overall size of the combination 10, the various parts cooperate with one another whereby the combination may be used as any one of the above items.

The combination 10 comprises a longitudinally oriented base frame 12 including a pair of spaced apart upstanding head members 14 facing one another and a longitudinal base member 16 connected between the upstanding head members 14. A body supporting unit 18 has opposite headboards 20 releasably supported by the base frame 12. In this regard, a pair of parallel bars 22 associated with each head member 14 of the base frame 12 are pivotally connected between an upper portion of each head member 14 and a lower portion of each headboard 20 of the body supporting unit 18. As explained more fully below, the relationship between the parallel bars 22 and the body supporting unit 18 enables the unit to swing in a to-and-fro transverse direction relative to the base frame 12. A separate stabilizer 24 is connected between each headboard 20 and its adjacent head member 14 for preventing longitudinal play of the body supporting unit 18 when it swings in a to-and-fro transverse direction relative to the base frame 12.

As shown best in FIG. 2, each bar 22 is pivotally connected at 26 to the upper portion of one of the head members 14 of the base'frame 12. The lower end of each bar 22 has an opening therein for receiving a pivot pin 28 secured to the outside face of the headboard 20. The opening at the lower end of each bar 22 includes an upwardly inclined open ended portion 30 having a width which is slightly larger than the diameter of the pin 28. As can readily be understood, when the body supporting unit 18 is lifted upwardly relative to the base frame 12 the pins 28 move away from the bars 22 along the slotted portions 30 to facilitate removal of the body supporting unit 18 from the base frame 12.

Each separate stabilizer 24 comprises an upwardly opening horizontal channel 32 secured to the inside face of each upstanding head member 14 of the base frame 12. A downwardly disposed projection 34 on the outside face of the adjacent headboard 20 of the body supporting unit 18 extends into the channel 32 and is confined thereby to transverse to-and-fro movement relative to the base frame 12. By confining the projection 34 to such movement, the body supporting unit 18 is likewise confined to movement in a to-and-fro transverse direction. As a result, longitudinal play is eliminated when the body supporting unit 18 swings.

Concerning the particulars of the base frame 12, the longitudinal base member 16 comprises two pieces 36 with a hinge 38 connecting the pieces together, as shown best in FIGS. 1 and 8. Hinges 40 are also located at the opposite ends of the base member 16 for hingedly connecting the base member to the upstanding head members 14 of the base frame. Hence, when the body supporting unit 18 and the bars 22 are removed from the base frame the frame may be folded together along the axes of the hinges 38, 40 to a position shown in FIG. 8. Notches 42 are provided in the base member 16 so that when the member is folded the notches provide space for the channels 32 of the stabilizers 24. Hook and eyelet devices 43 are provided between the head members 14 and base member 16 for releasably securing them together when the combination 10 is assembled.

As shown best in FIGS. 3, 6 and 7, combination 10 of the present invention includes a self-contained drive unit 44 associated with the base member 16 of the base frame 12. The drive unit has a motor 46 with an upwardly disposed shaft 48. This unit also includes a switch 50, and an electrical power source 52 and wire 54 for interconnecting the motor switch to power frame 12.

A power take-off 64 runs from the motor 46 to a music box 66 so that swinging motion of the body supporting unit 18 is accompanied by music from the box 46. As shown best in FIG. 7, the base member 16 of the frame 12 includes a central cutout 68which is constructed and arranged to releasably receive the selfcontained drive unit 44. The middle portion of the drive unit 44 rests within the cutout 68 and the extended sides of the drive unit 44 prevent transverse or lateral shifting of the unit 44 relative to the base member 16. The unit 44 is removed or positioned by vertically lifting or lowering it relative to the base member 16.

The body supporting unit 18 includes a horizontal body supporting platform 70 connected between the opposite headboards 20. Side rails 72 extend between the headboards 20 for enclosing the body supporting platform 70. Transverse horizontal channels 74 are located below the body supporting platform 72 at opposite ends thereof. Pivot pins 76 are provided at the lower end corners of the side rails 72 of the unit 18 and these pins are disposed within the channels 74. As best shown in phantom outlinein FIG. 5, the side rails 72 are held in vertical position by upper pins 78 on the rails which rest within inclined notches 80 in the headboards 20. As is clear, the side rails may be shifted besupporting platform 70 by simply swinging the rails to a substantially horizontal position and then sliding them inwardly along the channels 74 until they are positioned under the platform 70. The pins 76 on the rails 72 slide along the channels 74 to accomplish movement of the rails to their stored positions. With the rails so positioned, the body supporting unit 18 may be used as a youth bed. As shown best in FIG. 3, the channels 72 may simply comprise horizontal grooves disposed within the headboards 20 of the body supporting unit 18.

Further, the body supporting unit 18 may include a removable longitudinal center rail 82 for dividing unit 18 into separate support areas. Brackets 84 are attached to the headboards 20 to facilitate releasable attachment of the center rail 82. The brackets 84 simply include vertically oriented channels, and the center rail 82 fits within these channels to divide the body supporting unit 18 into the separate support areas. As

shown best in FIG. 3, the inside face of each headboard 20 of the body supporting unit 18 includes guiding structure 86 adjacent the base of the headboards. A pair of drawers 88 extend between the headboards, one at each long side of the body supporting unit. The guiding structure functions to support and guide the drawers 88 for sliding movement inwardly and outwardly relative to the body supporting unit 18. The drawers 88 may be utilized at any stage of use of the combination 10. Preferably, the guiding structure comprises horizontal cutout channels in the inside face of each headboard 20 of the body supporting unit.

Finally, the combination includes a canopy 90 releasably secured to the upper portions of the upstanding head members 14 of the base frame 12. The canopy 90 includes an upper framework 92 with a suitable covering 94 connected to the framework. Each corner of the canopy 90 includes a vertical post 96 with a vertical pin 98 at the lower end thereof. The pins 98 fit within openings 100 in the upper portion of the head members 14. Also, as shown best in FIG. 3, the posts 96 include pivotal connections 102 where they are attached to the framework 92 of the canopy 90. As a result, the posts 96 swing inwardly about the connections 102 when the canopy is stored. This construction minimizes the space required for storing the canopy when it is not in use.

Also, the channels 74 may include recesses 1104, located as shown in FIG. 5. In this regard, the recesses 104 form extensions of the channels 74 so that the side rails may be removed from the body supporting unit 18. In removing the side rails the pins 76 are urged along the recesses 104.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed comprising longitudinally oriented base frame means including a pair of spaced apart upstanding head members facing one another and a longitudinal base member connected between the upstanding head members, a body supporting unit having opposite headboards releasably supported by the base frame means, a pair of parallel bars associated with each headmember of the base frame means pivotally connected between an upper portion of each head member and alower portion of each headboard of the body supporting unit whereby the body supporting unit may swing in a toand-fro transverse direction relative to the base frame means, and separate stabilizer means connected between at least one of the headboards and its adjacent head member for preventing longitudinal play of the body supporting unit when it swings in a to-and-fro transverse direction relative to the base frame means.

2. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 1 wherein the separate stabilizer means comprises horizontal channel means secured to the inside face of one of the upstanding head members of the base frame means and projection means on the outside face of the adjacent headboard of the body supporting unit, the projection means extending into the channel means and being confined thereby to transverse to-and-fro movement relative to the base frame means.

3. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal base member of the base frame means comprises two pieces with a hinge connecting the pieces together, and hinges at the opposite ends of the base member for hingedly connecting the base member to the upstanding head members whereby the base member and the upstanding head members fold together along the axes of the hinges.

4. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 1 including a self-contained drive unit associated with the base member of the base frame means, the drive unit having a motor with an upwardly disposed shaft, switch means, and conductors for interconnect ing the motor and the switch means with a source of electric power, a horizontal disc secured to the upper end of the motor shaft, and a link pivotally connected between the underside of the body supporting unit and an eccentric point on the disc whereby rotation of the disc through activation of the motor causes the link to swing the body supporting unit in a to-and-fro transverse direction relative to the base frame means.

5. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 4 wherein the base member'of the base frame means includes a central cutout portion constructed and arranged to releasably receive the self-contained drive unit.

6. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 1 wherein the body supporting unit includes a horizontal body supporting platform connected between the opposite headboards of the unit, side rails between the headboards for enclosing the body supporting platform, transverse horizontal channels below the body supporting platform at opposite ends thereof, and pivot pins on the side rails of the body supporting unit disposed within the channels whereby the side rails may swing outwardly and downwardly relative to the body supporting platform and also slide inwardly along the channels for storage under the body supporting platform.

7. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 6 wherein the transverse horizontal channels are disposed within the headboards of the body supporting unit.

8. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 1 wherein the inside face of each headboard of the body supporting unit includes guide means adjacent the base of the headboards, and at least one drawer extending between the headboards supported and guided by the guide means for sliding movement inwardly and outwardly relative to the body supporting unit.

9. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 8 wherein the guide means comprises horizontal cutout channels in the inside face of each headboard of the body supporting unit. 

1. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed comprising longitudinally oriented base frame means including a pair of spaced apart upstanding head members facing one another and a longitudinal base member connected between the upstanding head members, a body supporting unit having opposite headboards releasably supported by the base frame means, a pair of parallel bars associated with each head member of the base frame means pivotally connected between an upper portion of each head member and a lower portion of each headboard of the body supporting unit whereby the body supporting unit may swing in a to-and-fro transverse direction relative to the base frame means, and separate stabilizer means connected between at least one of the headboards and its adjacent head member for preventing longitudinal play of the body supporting unit when it swings in a to-and-fro transverse direction relative to the base frame means.
 2. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 1 wherein the separate stabilizer means comprises horizontal channel means secured to the inside face of one of the upstanding head members of the base frame means and projection means on the outside face of the adjacent headboard of the body supporting unit, the projection means extending into the channel means and being confined thereby to transverse to-and-fro movement relative to the base frame means.
 3. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal base member of the base frame means comprises two pieces with a hinge connecting the pieces together, and hinges at the opposite ends of the base member for hingedly connecting the base member to the upstanding head members whereby the base member and the upstanding head members fold together along the axes of the hinges.
 4. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 1 including a self-contained drive unit associated with the base member of the base frame means, the drive unit having a motor with an upwardly disposed shaft, switch means, and conductors for interconnecting the motor and the switch means with a source of electric power, a horizontal disc secured to the upper end of the motor shaft, and a link pivotally connected between the underside of the body supporting unit and an eccentric point on the disc whereby rotation of the disc through activation of the motor causes the link to swing the body supporting unit in a to-and-fro transverse direction relative to the base frame means.
 5. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 4 wherein the base member of the base frame means includes a central cutout portion constructed and arranged to releasably receive the seLf-contained drive unit.
 6. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 1 wherein the body supporting unit includes a horizontal body supporting platform connected between the opposite headboards of the unit, side rails between the headboards for enclosing the body supporting platform, transverse horizontal channels below the body supporting platform at opposite ends thereof, and pivot pins on the side rails of the body supporting unit disposed within the channels whereby the side rails may swing outwardly and downwardly relative to the body supporting platform and also slide inwardly along the channels for storage under the body supporting platform.
 7. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 6 wherein the transverse horizontal channels are disposed within the headboards of the body supporting unit.
 8. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 1 wherein the inside face of each headboard of the body supporting unit includes guide means adjacent the base of the headboards, and at least one drawer extending between the headboards supported and guided by the guide means for sliding movement inwardly and outwardly relative to the body supporting unit.
 9. A combination cradle, crib and youth bed as in claim 8 wherein the guide means comprises horizontal cutout channels in the inside face of each headboard of the body supporting unit. 